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The National Debt is Today's Problem--Not the Future's
Tweet Share on Facebook May 27, 2010 Comment (11)By Brandon Greife, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
They’ve stolen my sales pitch! Worries about the impact of the national debt and deficit have traditionally been framed in terms of future generations. For instance, Barack Obama recently said,
We have an obligation to future generations to address our long-term, structural deficits, which threaten to hobble our economy and leave our children and grandchildren with a mountain of debt.
As a College Republican, that made my spiel easy. Everyone, regardless of political persuasion, seemed to understand that today’s spending was going to have dire impacts on our future. The government’s recent string of poor fiscal decisions has moved up the timetable.
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National Debt Gives Republicans an Opening With Young Voters
Tweet Share on Facebook May 21, 2010 Comment (6)By Brandon Greife, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
A great chess player has the ability to see several moves ahead. He visualizes the board, predicts his opponent’s moves, and acts proactively. He dictates the flow of the game. Politics is the ultimate chess game. Unfortunately, neither team appears to be playing it very well.
For much of the recent past Republicans have relied on older voters. These are likely to be married, white, and Christian--three traditionally conservative voting blocs (especially in combination). Unfortunately, these groups are growing smaller as a proportion of the electorate. -
Republicans, Democrats All Tied Up in Political Playoffs
Tweet Share on Facebook May 13, 2010 Comment (3)By Brandon Greife, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Gooooood morning fellow politicos, and welcome to the government playoffs. My name is Brandon Greife and along with my colleague Jeremy Hagen we’ll be breaking down what has thus far been an absolutely incredible series.
Jeremy: “Yes, it’s been political maneuvering at its finest. It’s enough to make Karl Rove blush.”
Brandon: “Each team has taken two games in what is sure to be a seven game series. The Democrat Donkeys crashed out of the gate under the leadership of all-world politician Barack Obama.” -
If Wall Street and Greece Get Bailouts, Why Not Millennials?
Tweet Share on Facebook May 6, 2010 Comment (7)By Brandon Greife, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
“Bailout” has become the new “flip-flop.” Every article that even tangentially relates to politics these days seems to have something to say about bailouts. First you had TARP, also known as the bank bailout. Then came the auto bailout. Now we’re arguing whether the financial reform bill is really a Wall Street bailout while simultaneously discussing our role in the bailout of Greece. It’s enough to make me wonder whether Millennials should apply for a bailout.
With all the obligations the federal government is racking up it certainly appears as if we’re going to need one. The problem is that the priorities of young adults are long term while the priorities of government are short term. Young adults must worry about the financial impact that legislation will have in 30 years. Politicians are worried about the ten-year budget window that is scored by the CBO. Young adults get a bad rap for not being reliable voters. Politicians are worried about getting reelected.
